Do I need a notary for the poverty exemption application?

No. The application asks you to print your name, sign, and date it. Required tax returns and ownership evidence are supporting documents, not notarized steps.

What information does the application ask for?

It asks about household members, income, savings and investments, property, vehicles, debts, and monthly expenses, among other details.

What documents must accompany the application?

The form requires federal and state income tax returns for household residents who filed in the immediately preceding or current year. It also says to be prepared to provide ownership evidence at the Board of Review meeting.

St. Joseph County, MI · St. Joseph County

No notary required

Application for MCL 211.7u Poverty Exemption

This application is for a homeowner seeking a poverty exemption from property taxes on their principal residence.

At a glance

Issued by: City of St. Joseph County · St. Joseph County, St. Joseph County, Michigan
Notarization: Not required: file this form without a notary.
Official source: Original source unavailable. Use the archived PDF.
Blank form: Download the PDF
Catalogued: Oct 5, 2026
Machine-readable: JSON record · about the forms index

Original source unavailable. Use the archived PDF.

What this form is

Use this application to request a property tax exemption for your principal residence based on financial need. The form says to file it with the Board of Review where the property is located, after January 1 and before the day prior to the last day of the local unit’s December Board of Review. It asks about household members, income, assets, property, debts, and expenses.

Who needs it

A person seeking a poverty exemption for their principal residence must complete the application and provide information for everyone in the household.

How to submit it

File the application with the Board of Review where the property is located. The form says to submit it after January 1 and before the day prior to the last day of the local unit’s December Board of Review.

About notarization

This application is signed and dated without a notary; required tax returns and ownership evidence are supporting documents, not notarized steps.

How to submit this form

1
Download the Application
Download the poverty exemption application PDF.
2
Complete the Application
Fill in all sections, including household, income, assets, property, debts, and expenses.
3
Gather Required Documents
Include required tax returns and be prepared to provide a deed, land contract, or other ownership evidence at the Board of Review meeting.
4
File With the Board of Review
File with the Board of Review where the property is located within the filing period stated on the form.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a notary for the poverty exemption application?: No. The application asks you to print your name, sign, and date it. Required tax returns and ownership evidence are supporting documents, not notarized steps.
How do I submit the poverty exemption application?: File it with the Board of Review where the property is located, after January 1 and before the day prior to the last day of the local unit’s December Board of Review.
What information does the application ask for?: It asks about household members, income, savings and investments, property, vehicles, debts, and monthly expenses, among other details.
What documents must accompany the application?: The form requires federal and state income tax returns for household residents who filed in the immediately preceding or current year. It also says to be prepared to provide ownership evidence at the Board of Review meeting.

Need something notarized?

This Application for MCL 211.7u Poverty Exemption doesn’t need a notary, but Michigan residents can notarize other documents online with a commissioned online notary.